Report: Freeman Out With Infection

Steve Helwagen

09/19/2005

The Dayton Daily News reported Sunday that OSU sophomore linebacker Marcus Freeman is out indefinitely after complications arose following an early September knee surgery. Plus, there have been some depth chart developments as the Buckeyes prep to host Iowa in their Big Ten opener. Click here for more.

According to a report in Sunday's edition of the Dayton Daily News, OSU sophomore linebacker Marcus Freeman is out indefinitely after complications arose following a Sept. 6 surgical procedure on his knee.

The newspaper reported that Freeman developed a staph infection after undergoing knee surgery. He could be out for the season.

Freeman, a product of Huber Heights Wayne in the Dayton area, suffered a torn meniscus while covering a kickoff in the opener against Miami (Ohio). He told the DDN he is receiving antibiotics through an IV bag and must wear it for about four weeks.

"I can't work out while I've got this on," Freeman told the newspaper.

After a fine showing in the spring, Freeman was expected to play extensively this year on special teams and as the backup to Bobby Carpenter at outside linebacker. He hasn't ruled out returning for late-season games. But he acknowledged it doesn't look good.

Because he only played in the opener, Freeman would be eligible to apply for a medical redshirt year. That means if he does not return this season, he would have three years of eligibility remaining.

"I'm disappointed, obviously," Freeman told the DDN. "As far as this season, I'm here for the team. I may not be back on the field, but I'll be all right. There's always next year."

"I feel bad for him," senior linebacker A.J. Hawk told the DDN. "He had a great spring. I'm not sure what he's going to do with a redshirt year, but we just have to make sure we get him healthy."